Can England secure the ODI series at Lord’s?

Ian Bell adds more runs on his way to 41 not out in a comprehensive 3rd ODI victory for England in Manchester.

The ODI series between England and Sri Lanka has been a topsy turvy affair so far with the first three one day international matches seeing a close England win then a bounce back from Sri Lanka to make it 1-1 after two matches with a 157 run win at Chester-Le-Street. However, the third game in Manchester saw England run riot, thanks to a Chris Jordan masterclass with the ball, to limit Sri Lanka to just 67 runs before Alistair Cook and Ian Bell wrapped up the match in less than an hour. Victory for the hosts at Lord’s again today will see them take an unassailable lead in this five game series, but will they win it today or can Sri Lanka push it to the decider at Edgbaston on Tuesday?

(All odds provided by GR88.com are accurate as of today and subject to change)

Coming into this 4th ODI at the home of English cricket, Lord’s cricket ground in central London, it is the hosts who have all the momentum after delivering a crushing blow to Sri Lanka last time out. Chris Jordan secured the man of the match award in Manchester after an amazing five wicket haul and just 29 runs conceded from eight overs and it he is sure to have the eyes of the world on him again in this one day clash. However, James Anderson removed both the Sri Lankan openers in Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan as well as ceding just ten runs in seven overs, two of which were maidens.

While the English bowlers were on fire in Manchester during the 3rd ODI, this series has seen some inconsistent batting from both sides with just two English batsmen reaching double figures in the 2nd ODI at Chester-Le-Street and two of the top three for the guests at the Oval in the 1st ODI in Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara scoring a total of eight. If this form continues today, I feel that it is likely to be England that cope best as Jordan has bagged himself nine wickets over the three tests, standing head and shoulders above the rest of the bowlers.

As well as the form of the 25 year old Barbados born Sussex player helping towards a home win in this 4th ODI the weather at Lord’s is expected to be fine for this match causing the pitch to lose pace. If this should happen then, just like in the T20 match between these sides recently and several county cricket matches of late, the score rate late on is likely to drop and leave us with a low scoring match. The advantage from this will only help the bowlers and I foresee another, and third from four matches, star man performance from Jordan to lead England to victory in this ODI series.

Back England to beat Sri Lanka in the 4th ODI match at Lord’s @ 1.69 with GR88.com.